Akhilesh Yadav Announces Old Pension Scheme, Shiksha Mitra Reforms For UP

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday announced a series of promises ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, including steps towards implementing the Old Pension Scheme, improved facilities for Shiksha Mitras and clearance of pending salaries for teachers associated with modern madrasas. Addressing reporters at the SP office, Yadav said the proposals were aimed at addressing concerns of teachers and government employees and reforming the education system.

Yadav said that if the Samajwadi Party forms the government in 2027, it would work to improve the status of Shiksha Mitras by providing them facilities similar to those available to regular teachers. He also said issues concerning Sanskrit schools would be addressed. According to Yadav, resolving the concerns of Shiksha Mitras could also contribute to reopening schools that had been shut.

On the Old Pension Scheme, Yadav said his party would take steps towards its implementation after consultations with the Finance Department. He also promised to clear long-pending salaries of teachers working in modern madrasas. The announcements form part of the SP's stated plans ahead of the next Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.

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Yadav also criticised the BJP-led state government over its handling of education and jobs. He alleged that the government was focusing on issues that he said were dividing society instead of addressing employment and education concerns. He further alleged discrimination against madrasas and criticised what he described as inadequate education and poor-quality employment opportunities.

The SP chief also raised allegations related to electoral rolls and the deletion of voters' names during the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. He alleged that names of a large number of SP supporters were deleted and claimed BJP workers had sought deletions through Form 7 applications. He cited an instance in Lucknow where, according to his claim, one person applied for deletion of more than 100 names. The Election Commission's Form 7 guidelines state that an elector registered in a constituency can file an objection regarding another elector's entry or seek deletion of their own name, subject to the prescribed procedure.

Yadav further alleged that fake voter entries were being created in Noida and questioned the Election Commission's role in the electoral process. He also called for courts to take suo motu cognisance of reports concerning alleged irregularities in voting and referred to the possibility of re-elections in West Bengal and Bihar. He said the SP had defeated the BJP in Uttar Pradesh in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and expressed confidence that the BJP would be removed from the state in the 2027 Assembly polls. These remarks were made as the SP steps up its political preparations and outreach ahead of the Uttar Pradesh election.

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